Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTA President Forrest Claypool today officially welcomed community members to the newly rehabilitated Argyle Red Line station, which recently reopened following a six-week closure to allow crews to perform approximately $10.1 million in much-needed maintenance and capital improvement work to the 91-year-old facility.

“The Argyle station is the center of a thriving neighborhood and small business community,” said Mayor Emanuel.  “Infrastructure keeps Chicago moving, and I am proud of our coordinated efforts to restore and improve the critical infrastructure that fosters economic opportunity and creates jobs throughout the city.”

Entered into service in 1908 and rebuilt in 1921, the Argyle station has mostly received patchwork repairs over the years; however, as a result of the supportive surrounding community the station has received some smaller scale repairs over the last 30 years. As a result of the community’s efforts and partnerships with local businesses, the Argyle station received cosmetic repairs, including the addition of the pagoda platform canopy. The refreshed station aided in the revitalization of the community beginning in the 1980s through the 1990s.

“CTA rail stations are described as the gateway to the surrounding community. The Argyle station truly inhabits this statement as evident by the ongoing community involvement and support over the years,” said Claypool. “This station serves as constant reminder of what role our stations serve in bringing together communities and how important they are to economic growth.”

"The Red Line is the heart of the CTA rail network and these upgrades and improvements to the Argyle station will put Chicago in the position to continue providing world-class mass transit services," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.   "When federal and local investments combine on projects like this, we can continue to create good-paying jobs, spur economic development and ensure that Chicago mass transit remains a national priority."

The Argyle station is the fourth of seven stations to reopen as part of the $86 million Red North Interim Improvement project, which is now 60 percent complete, and a component of Mayor Emanuel’s Building a New Chicago program, which is updating infrastructure that's critical to the city.

“I am happy that several Red Line stations in my district, such as Argyle, are receiving much-needed rehabilitation, due in large part to federal funding,” said U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (9th District).  “These stations have been in serious need of repair. I know riders and the whole community will appreciate the beautified and upgraded stations.” 

"The renovation of the Argyle station will transform this already vibrant and unique commercial district, making visiting and traveling to Argyle Street an even more exciting experience,” added Alderman Harry Osterman. “Many riders - both residents and visitors - utilize this station and have long-awaited this improvement. With Mayor Emanuel's support, the CTA has given these riders an impressive final product."

The Argyle station was temporarily closed for six weeks to allow crews to perform repairs to the station house, adjacent retail spaces and surrounding infrastructure. Specific enhancements to the station include: 

• expanded footprint of stationhouse for improved layout/circulation

• additional exit-only turnstile and luggage gate entry/exit
• refurbishment of the station’s signature Chinese pagoda platform canopy
• new concrete platform and platform foundations
• new interior finishes (i.e. high-gloss brick walls, flooring, ceiling), lighting and signage
• exterior masonry repairs, tuck pointing and sidewalk repairs
• new windows, doors, exterior lighting and bike racks
• repairs to concrete; painting and sealing/coating
• upgraded lighting below viaduct (on street level)
• new waterproofing and drainage system
• new trackbed, ties and rails at station area

Work requiring the temporary closure of the remaining three stations – Berwyn, Lawrence and Jarvis – is expected to be complete by the end of 2012, with all remaining station and track work to be completed by early-2013.

Also, in an effort to reduce future expenses and avoid additional impacts to rail service, the Chicago Transit Board recently approved an amendment – with a maximum value of $15 million – to extend the scope of work to address additional slow zones, viaduct repairs and other station structure repairs. As a result of this amendment, customers will experience fewer service disruptions and a reduction of 2-3 minutes in travel times following the removal of approximately 7,000 feet of slow zones.

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